Flash memory reliability.

by RaccoonBrother

Hello guys. I have read the information that flash memory is pretty unreliable. Idk is it truth or not, but just to be sure. So, article says that use of flash memory as disk cache for live and VOD broadcasts can quickly disable flash memory and the author of this statement proposes a solution – USB Flash drive or portable HDD for internal storage. Is my android tv uses flash memory when I watching a movie from USB flash drive or HDD or is it use RAM and I do not need to worry? Thanks.

P.S. Sorry for any mistakes, English is not my native language

NedSc

While true, I would still expect at least three years of product life with such usage. At least for something like the Nvidia Shield, and maybe the Mi Box. Modern day flash memory is much better than it was just 5 (or so) years ago.

I remember giving out such advice, but back then we expected at least five years from our set top boxes/HTPCs, and they were more expensive, too. Even with a number of hours of continuous buffering to flash (assuming that happens if the buffer is too big for RAM), five years still would be possible with high quality flash modules.

Dlinefivenine

HDHomerun said it uses ram before flash when pausing live tv on the shield, so i guess there are reasons to still use it when needed only. That said, it's meant to be used.

raptor75mlt

Don't torrent over flash memory, that's for sure. So no Popcorntime

LiquidPoint

Flash memory cells can handle a lot more rewrites than they used to.

When flash gets worn out it doesn't just suddenly stop working; what you'll see is that the size starts shrinking, it'll not suddenly delete everything on it, so it is possible to notice in advance. If a card just suddenly dies (which has happened to me with cheap ones a few years back), it's not because of it wearing out the flash chip.

If you keep wearing it until there's no available space left, you should be able to clone the data onto a new card.

I prefer to use a decent quality microSD because I already use both my USB ports, and don't want a USB hub dangling around my system, also don't like the idea of having an external HDD dangling there, and then there's also the noise that an HDD makes.

Oh and btw, if you are concerned about wearing out flash, USB flash sticks have the same issues as SD cards. USB flash usually has an advantage when it comes to speed/price and size/price ratioes though.